The second fabulous story in the Godspeaker trilogy
The King of Ethrea is dying and his only surviving heir is the Princess Rhian, but if her en...
read full description
reviews
Nov 08, 2008
Jiaka1981
rated it: 
This second book in the godspeaker trilogy captured my attention more than the first. We have crossed the desert from Maijak to Ethrea, and met princess Rhian. Rhian's father and brithers have died leaving no heir. The advisors ofthe kingdom fight to marry Rhian to a prince of thier own choosing but she has diffrent ideas. Rhian wants to be Queen. A mysterious stranger helps her on her quest, he is Zandakar the exiled son of empress Hekat. The Empress who is coming to destroy Ethera.
More...
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 12, 2011
Ithlilian
rated it: 
It's hard to separate this book from the series and write a review of it on it's own merits. Having loved Empress so much this is a huge let down, but on it's own it is a decent story. Those wanting more Hekat won't find much here, but if you read the jacket you should already know that and be expecting it. I expected another character based story, and I did get that, but the characters here are not as dynamic and interesting as the ones in Empress. Rhian tries to be strong, but doesn't really k
More...
Mar 26, 2011
Nikko
rated it:
Why I read this book:
After hearing that the second book in the Godspeaker series left Mijak, I was a little unsure about reading it. However, I liked the first book so much that I had to read The Riven Kingdom by Karen Miller.
My one sentence summary:
Rhian must team up with a toymaker who talks to his dead wife, a grumpy physick, a reluctant man of god she despises, and a dangerous foreigner with blue hair to claim the throne that would have been hers by birthright i More...
After hearing that the second book in the Godspeaker series left Mijak, I was a little unsure about reading it. However, I liked the first book so much that I had to read The Riven Kingdom by Karen Miller.
My one sentence summary:
Rhian must team up with a toymaker who talks to his dead wife, a grumpy physick, a reluctant man of god she despises, and a dangerous foreigner with blue hair to claim the throne that would have been hers by birthright i More...
Aug 08, 2011
Moonchyme
rated it:
If Empress is the reckless and wild black sheep of the family, this next book serves as its prude and proper step-sister. Almost opposite in voice and mood, The Riven Kingdom helps us come to our senses after having fallen under the seductive spell of Mijak and its gruesome culture. We understand how someone like Hekat ends up the way she does, but at the same time this book helps us realize that pure evil leaves no room for pity. Two of the characters, Dexterity and Ursa, have the kind of frien
More...
Jul 02, 2011
Angela
rated it: 
This book shouldn't be titled "The Riven Kingdom." Riven Kingdom implies some sort of civil war. In this book, at most, there's some minor incivility. You know how this book ends? Nobody has to fight. God makes everything better. Nothing happens in 737 pages. It's boring.
Yes, the characters are likable, relatable, funny, and down-to-earth. We have Jones, the gentle atheist toymaker, and Ursa, a no-nonsense doctor. Zandakar's back. Their humanity is a breath of fresh air after More...
Yes, the characters are likable, relatable, funny, and down-to-earth. We have Jones, the gentle atheist toymaker, and Ursa, a no-nonsense doctor. Zandakar's back. Their humanity is a breath of fresh air after More...
Nov 15, 2010
Cole
rated it: 
It's a bit jarring to jump from Mijak to Ethrea at first, and Marlan seems like he could be Nagarak's long-lost twin. The feminist subtext is a little on-the-nose for my taste, mainly in that it wasn't subtext at all. Sometimes the character comes right out and thinks it in the narrative. The reason it bears mentioning is that it came at times when that motivation was already perfectly clear, and it felt like a cliche Wheel of Morality lesson.
But that's all nitpicking. I nitpick becaus More...
But that's all nitpicking. I nitpick becaus More...
Aug 13, 2009
Nathan
rated it:
This book is wonderful. Especially in contrast to the first book in the series.
I'd actually go so far as to say that the first book isn't necessary at all to enjoy the series. In retrospect, the first book is a tale that could have been woven more deeply into the second book - maybe through Zandakar's nightmares, or maybe through "Hettie" inspired flashbacks.
There really was no need for the horror and unlikable characters and religion of the first book excep More...
I'd actually go so far as to say that the first book isn't necessary at all to enjoy the series. In retrospect, the first book is a tale that could have been woven more deeply into the second book - maybe through Zandakar's nightmares, or maybe through "Hettie" inspired flashbacks.
There really was no need for the horror and unlikable characters and religion of the first book excep More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jul 12, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 22, 2009
Emma
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 12, 2011
Megan
rated it:
I read Empress back a year or so ago and ...I enjoyed it, though it started to drag towards the last 3/4 of the book. I loved the characters, though kind of began to despise Hekat towards the end. While the end left me curious, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to read the sequel. Especially since it didn't seem to follow the original plot.
I must say. I am overly delighted that I did get the next and read it. While the original characters aren't quite a focus of this book, there's a whol More...
I must say. I am overly delighted that I did get the next and read it. While the original characters aren't quite a focus of this book, there's a whol More...
May 26, 2010
Janell
rated it:
The Riven Kingdom was much like reading the Two Towers--you know it's a bridge to get to the good part of the story. The style of writing I loved so much in The Empress was markedly different--and in a good way. Karen Miller was able to change the accent of her writing voice to reflect an entirely different world...one of peace and treachery. It shouldn't surprise you that the voice and violence of the first book was different; it had to be. The people of Mijak think and feel and believe entirel
More...
Oct 12, 2009
Wayne
rated it:
Much better than the first book in this trilogy. I couldn't put it down. the protagonist is worthy of my interest in fact I am not so sure the Toy Maker is the main character of the Princes whom he helps restore the kingdom and install her a queen.
It seems The River Kingdom is run by Kings and Religious leaders like in the dark ages when the Catholic church had such great power. This is a classic story of separation of church and state and the difference between a religious leader an More...
It seems The River Kingdom is run by Kings and Religious leaders like in the dark ages when the Catholic church had such great power. This is a classic story of separation of church and state and the difference between a religious leader an More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 29, 2008
Diancecht
rated it:
I won't say too much, very good read :). It is like a different world from the first Book. There was less from my favorite charter Hekat(she cool!!) It makes a change from a happy ending.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 02, 2008
Catherine
rated it:
This is written more in the style of the Kingmaker books, since the culture featured is more refined. Good second installment.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 05, 2011
Dale
rated it:
Interesting that in this second installment, the kindgom Miller builds is a very prototypical Western fantasy kingdom. The main plot could have been a story arc in BBC's Robin Hood to be honest. Miller also shows a decidedly Protestant slant as she creates a church heirarchy that is corrupt to the highest levels. Not that such things are necessarily bad - it's just that they've been done before. Many times. In essence, this book wipes out much of the originality the series displayed in the
More...
Jan 26, 2009
Daniel
rated it:
Karen Miller is amazing. She continues the Godspeaker trilogy with a change of scene, telling the story of the young princess Rhian and her struggles to secure her throne.
Where Empress tells the story of a young woman's rise to power through blood and murder, The Riven Kingdom shows us the rise to power of a woman along a different path. And by book's end, we know that these two women are bound to meet, with only the fate of the world in the balance.
I can't praise Mil More...
Where Empress tells the story of a young woman's rise to power through blood and murder, The Riven Kingdom shows us the rise to power of a woman along a different path. And by book's end, we know that these two women are bound to meet, with only the fate of the world in the balance.
I can't praise Mil More...
Aug 10, 2011
An excellent sequel to Empress with a character significantly different from the previous one, more circumspect towards God and its powers, however animated by an equal will for power but for the people she's represent. Rhian, heir of Ethrea, is arrogant as was Hekat but fortunately lacks her cruelty which led the Empress to be purely evil at the end of the first book.
The different characters and their stories slowly get intertwined and let us presume of a fascinating and exciting third volume. More...
The different characters and their stories slowly get intertwined and let us presume of a fascinating and exciting third volume. More...
Oct 12, 2008
Glitterfairy
rated it:
It's in this second book that I finally understand what Miller was trying to achieve, but I'm still not convinced of her success.
The good: The repetition and gore of the eastern 'Empress of Mijak' has been replaced by a more polished, western european-esque nation much more in the line of standard fantasy. Miller is obviously more comfortable with this kind of setting as the unneccessary repetitive shoving of religious detail has been kept to a minimum, allowing us to concentrate mor More...
The good: The repetition and gore of the eastern 'Empress of Mijak' has been replaced by a more polished, western european-esque nation much more in the line of standard fantasy. Miller is obviously more comfortable with this kind of setting as the unneccessary repetitive shoving of religious detail has been kept to a minimum, allowing us to concentrate mor More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 17, 2012
Alex George
rated it:
The first book was the setting up, not of just the world but the villain of the story, I couldn't see what it was for until I'd started reading this book and now I have I appreciated the first book.
This is a fairly interesting book and the characters you meet are going to much much more likeable than the Godspeakers of Mijhat and Hetka.
This book takes place probably around 6 months after the events of the first one in an island kingdom called Ethrea and these are the "good" More...
This is a fairly interesting book and the characters you meet are going to much much more likeable than the Godspeakers of Mijhat and Hetka.
This book takes place probably around 6 months after the events of the first one in an island kingdom called Ethrea and these are the "good" More...
Jan 31, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
I couldn't put this book down! This book was way better then Empress was. Not that I didn't like Hekat but I feel in love with everyone in this book.
I really love the way that Karen Miller has a grasp of how to develope characters in a setting without making them appear to be boring, one sided and dull.
Every chapter left me on my seat wanting more. I can't wait to read Hammer of God!
The downside of the book, would have to be it did feel a little too long. Ma More...
I really love the way that Karen Miller has a grasp of how to develope characters in a setting without making them appear to be boring, one sided and dull.
Every chapter left me on my seat wanting more. I can't wait to read Hammer of God!
The downside of the book, would have to be it did feel a little too long. Ma More...
Mar 26, 2010
Charlene
rated it:
The Riven Kingdom is a continuation of Empress in the Godspeaker Trilogy. I thought it lacked the depth that was in Empress. There were a lot of description that I thought I didn't need to know. I know they were traveling by a peddler's caravan with a horse and that usually takes much longer than say, using a car, but come on, it's supposed to be "book time" not "real time."
I found myself dropping this several times and coming back to it because I absolutely love More...
I found myself dropping this several times and coming back to it because I absolutely love More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 12, 2009
Angelique
rated it:
I am not too pleased with the female lead in this one, she's fighting for her crown but then when she finally gets it, she whines about what she has to do to keep it. I realize she's young (19) but her constant temper tantrums were slightly annoying.
However
I loved Zandakar in this one. What a great character!
And I loved Dexterity Jones too. But he gets sorta annoying the last book.
However
I loved Zandakar in this one. What a great character!
And I loved Dexterity Jones too. But he gets sorta annoying the last book.
Feb 10, 2009
Syd
rated it:
Just finished. The way it was connected to the first book of the trilogy was brilliant. There was very little if any redundent story line from the first book, but a smooth intertwining of the two stories that left me anxious to start the last book where I know empress and The Riven Kingdom are going to slam together like an atom bomb.
Sep 10, 2008
Chris
rated it:
Karen Miller is a force of writing that can not be stopped. Both series have been an intense read fro me. I have read every book in less than a few days. This to me stands for an engaging story.
The story isn 't mired in to many aspects as to loose the characters. What makes this series a must read is the characters. From chapter to chapter I want to know what will happen. Whether it is Hekat, Zandakar, Vortka or any others. I am hard pressed to find a main character that I didn't wan More...
The story isn 't mired in to many aspects as to loose the characters. What makes this series a must read is the characters. From chapter to chapter I want to know what will happen. Whether it is Hekat, Zandakar, Vortka or any others. I am hard pressed to find a main character that I didn't wan More...
Nov 09, 2010
Jordan
rated it:
At first it seemed like a completely different series, but in the end the book was a very satisfying turn on the original story. The new characters are likeable and well developed, and the old Mijak style isnt lost. This also means that my original complaint for the repetitive emotion/descriptions used for the Mijaki hardness is still in effect.
Oct 07, 2009
Esk
rated it:
This book was much more entertaining than the first in the series. I loved the kingdom of Ethrea, I liked to read about Rhian and her struggles to become the first queen. I also liked Zandakar a lot better now than in the previous book. I'm curious to part 3 and see how the world of Hekat and Rhian will clash and what the outcome will be.
Jan 14, 2010
Kamran
rated it:
The first thing that struck me about this book is that while it is the 2nd book in the trilogy, you are reading an entirely new story which starts to come together with the 1st book in the end of this book and in the final book of this trilogy. I found the characters much more enjoyable to read about and I loved the Karen Miller's idea of writing 2 almost completely different stories and bringing them together.
Jan 06, 2012
Shaye
rated it:
Zandakar rocks. I loved him. Could not care less about the self-righteous Ethreans or Rhian. It was shocking to find that Mijak didn't speak english. When Dexterity finds him on the boat with blue hair I was cheering to have my Warlord back. Did I mention how much I love Zandakar!!
Feb 15, 2009
Liviu
rated it:
Great writing, story in which almost nothing happens; very few surprises and again it's a 100 page book, stretched to 550+; I still hope that the author can use her extraordinary writing skills and have an interesting plot, not page after page of filler...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 25, 2010
Candace
rated it:
I read this book last year and was so touched by all the characters. You will never belive what happens in the end and don't spoil it for yoursefl by cheating and looking. Christian friends willl rejoice with me and it's ending. Awesome!
